Interchangeable Approach Lamp Modules for Vehicle Side Mirrors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current external rear view assemblies for vehicles face challenges in efficiently integrating interchangeable approach lamps, leading to increased design and tooling costs due to misalignments and the need for custom side mirror assemblies for different lamp types, which also limits visibility compliance with legal requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system with interchangeable approach lamps is designed, featuring standardized mounting surfaces and optical assemblies that allow both standard and projecting approach lamps to be mounted in the same location within the external rear view assembly, ensuring identical mounting and light projection through a common aperture, simplifying installation and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom side mirror assemblies are designed for different lamp types, then lamp functionality is improved, but design and tooling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mounting interface that accommodates multiple lamp types (standard approach lamps and projector approach lamps) through a single standardized mounting structure. The mounting interface includes standardized mounting surfaces and alignment features that work with different lamp configurations, eliminating the need for custom-designed mirror assemblies for each lamp type while maintaining full functionality of both standard and projector lamps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable approach lamps are integrated, then adaptability is improved, but mounting alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized mounting interface as an intermediary component that mediates between different lamp types and the mirror assembly. This interface includes standardized mounting surfaces, alignment pins, and registration features that ensure precise alignment during installation. The intermediary mounting structure absorbs dimensional variations and tolerances, allowing interchangeable lamps to be mounted with consistent precision regardless of the specific lamp type being installed.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized components are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but visibility compliance may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing standardized mounting components for the overall assembly while maintaining specialized optical features for visibility compliance. The standardized mounting surfaces, housings, and fasteners reduce manufacturing costs, while the optical assemblies themselves retain their specific light projection characteristics, aperture designs, and beam patterns required for visibility compliance. This allows cost-effective standardization in non-critical areas while preserving performance-critical features.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables easy interchangeability of approach lamps, reducing design and tooling complexities, and compliance with visibility regulations by using standardized components, thus lowering costs and simplifying the installation process while maintaining functional requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source mounted on the first printed circuit board, a second light source mounted on the second printed circuit board
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention refers to a system for providing interchangeable approach lamps for use with an external rear view assembly (1), the system comprising: a first approach lamp module (11) comprising a first housing comprising a front face (16), a rear face (14), a first side face (15), a second side face (18), a proximal face (17) and a distal face (13), the proximal face (17) comprising an aperture for receiving a power cable; a first set of mounting surfaces located on the first housing, the first set comprising one or more mounting surfaces (29); a first printed circuit board (26) mounted adjacent the rear face (14), the first printed circuit board (26) further comprising a power connector (27), a first electronic circuit (25) and a first light source (24) mounted on the first printed circuit board (26), a first optical assembly (21, 23) mounted to receive light from the first light source (24) and comprising a first light exiting surface (21) projecting out of the front face of the first housing; and a second approach lamp module (12) comprising a second housing comprising a front face (16), a rear face (14), a first side face (15), a second side face (18), a proximal face (17) and a distal face (13), the proximal face (17) comprising an aperture for receiving a power cable; a second set of mounting surfaces located on the second housing, the second set comprising one or more mounting surfaces (29); a second printed circuit board (26) mounted adjacent the rear face (14), the second printed circuit board (26) further comprising a power connector (27), a second electronic circuit (49) and a second light source (24) mounted on the second printed circuit board, a second optical assembly (41, 43, 45, 46) mounted to receive light from the second light source (24) and comprising a projection assembly for projecting a logo or a mask, and a second light exiting surface (41) projecting out of the front face of the second housing, wherein the locations of each of the first set of mounting surfaces (29) and the locations of each of the second set of mounting surfaces (29) are identical, and a location and a size of the first light exiting surface (21) is identical to a location and size of the second light exiting surface (41) and a location of the first light source (24) is identical to a location of the second light source (24) such that a distance from the rear face (14) of the first housing to the first light exiting surface (21) is the same as the distance from the rear face (14) of the second housing to the second light exiting surface (41), each location relative to the locations of each of the first set of mounting surfaces (29), so that in use, each of the first approach lamp module (11) and the second approach lamp module (12) are mounted in the same location in the side mirror assembly (1) and project light through an external aperture (9) in the side mirror assembly (1) to allow interchanging of the approach lamp modules (11, 12). The invention also refers to an approach lamp module for use in such a system, an external rear view side mirror assembly for a motor vehicle with such a system and a method of replacing an installed approach lamp for use in such a system.